Nexon and NCsoft interested in buying Valve?

Word has hit the internet that Nexon and NCsoft, two Korean game publishers, are reportedly interested in buying game maker Valve. According to a report by Korea's JoongAng Ilbo, CEOs from both companies recently met to discuss acquisition plans. The paper also heard that the firms are raising cash through stock sales and real estate deals to make a bid.

The report, citing an anonymous industry source, says that NCsoft's Taek Jin Kim and Nexon's Kim Jung-ju conferred at a private developer summit in September on a possible merge and acquisition.

A stock deal between NCsoft and Nexon combined with a sell off of real estate by Nexon have led to speculation that the two companies are amassing cash to facilitate an offer to purchase Valve. In June, Nexon bought a $685 million stake in NCsoft, becoming its largest shareholder.

Whether they will succeed in acquiring Valve is doubtful, the game publisher is privately held and CEO Gabe Newell recently stated that it's more likely Valve would "disintegrate", employees departing, before he would sell it to another company.

A Nexon spokesperson refused to comment on the report, and NCsoft claims there'sno truth to this rumor.